Batting

SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University baseball team captured its third win in a row Monday afternoon defeating Capital Athletic Conference opponent Marymount (Va.) University 15-6. Micah Wells was solid throughout while the offense found its rhythm from earlier in the season scoring multiple runs in four different innings.

The Saints (6-10, 0-3 CAC) struck first getting to Wells early on scoring four runs in the first two innings, three in the first. However, the Sea Gulls' (10-5, 3-0 CAC) offense came to life in the third inning.

Justin Meekins and Tom LaBriola were both hit by a pitch giving Jack Barry runners on first and second with two outs. Barry answered the call knocking a double into center field to plate both, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

The Salisbury offense continued its prowess in the next inning plating five runs on three hits. Kevin Dean started the inning with a double down the left field line while Scott Ardoin and Ron Villone each reached base safely to load the bases for Pete Grasso. Grasso wasted no time belting the second pitch of his at-bat into left field clearing the bases and giving Salisbury the 5-4 lead.

Wells took over from there and was virtually unhittable over the next four innings. After surrendering four runs in the first two innings he didn't allow a hit or a base runner from the second through the sixth inning. Wells recorded three strikeouts while forcing four fly outs during that span to keep the Saints' offense in check.

Salisbury continued to lengthen its lead plating eight runs between the sixth and eighth inning. After scoring three runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning the Sea Gulls tacked on four more in the seventh.

Marymount homered in the top of the seventh to cut the lead to 10-6 but Salisbury never blinked. Meekins and Grasso each singled giving the maroon and gold runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Barry came through once again hitting his second double of the day to center clearing the bases and stretching the lead to six. Simon Palenchar, who entered the game as a designated hitter, singled to plate Barry during the next at-bat making the score 13-6. Ardoin continued his success knocking a single to right field to score Palenchar extending the lead to seven.

The pitching staff locked the game down from there as Wells completed the eighth inning striking out two of the four batters he faced. Connor Reeves finished the game off in the ninth going three up and three down on just six pitches.

It was Wells' second win of the season as he went eight innings allowing just six hits and four earned runs while striking out nine batters and surrendering just three walks.

Offensively, the team was led by Barry, who finished the day 2-for-2 with six RBI and a run scored. Grasso totaled four RBI on two hits and scored three runs himself while Ardoin and Palenchar each recorded two RBI and a run scored going 2-for-4 and 1-for-3, respectively.

Salisbury will travel to Wesley College on Wednesday, March 15, for another big CAC matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The game against Kean University, that was originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 14, has been postponed due to the incoming weather. No makeup date has been announced yet.